The UAE’s bold 900-kilometre Etihad Rail mission has taken a significant step ahead with the revealing of an in depth community map throughout the International Rail convention in Abu Dhabi. Whereas the complete station checklist stays below wraps, key components have been disclosed—providing a glimpse into what would be the nation’s first nationwide passenger rail service. With scenic routes throughout deserts and mountains, top-tier facilities, and good connectivity, Etihad Rail guarantees a transformative commuting expertise as soon as launched in 2026.Etihad Rail route map: Key stops and scenic highlightsEtihad Rail’s passenger community will span 900 km throughout the UAE, weaving via dramatic pure landscapes and key city centres. The up to date map, offered on the International Rail convention in Abu Dhabi, confirmed that the route will join main cities by way of passenger stations, freight terminals, and operational depots. Whereas the whole station checklist has not but been formally disclosed, 4 preliminary stations have been confirmed: Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, and Fujairah. Development is actively underway at these places, with take a look at trains already noticed on sections of the observe over the previous yr. Along with these major hubs, a number of potential station places have been additionally highlighted on the exhibition map. These embody: Sila Mirfa Madinat Zayed (all within the Al Dhafra Area) Al Dhaid (within the central a part of the UAE) Sakamkam in Fujairah Close to College Metropolis in Sharjah Near Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai
Etihad Railway Community/ Supply: Etihad Rail
The route is anticipated to supply passengers breathtaking views throughout a number of the UAE’s most iconic terrains, together with the golden dunes of Abu Dhabi, the Al Maha Forest, and the rugged Hajar Mountains in Fujairah. “It was a really proud second driving the practice within the UAE,” mentioned Azza Al Suwaidi, Deputy CEO of Etihad Rail Mobility, in a quote to Khaleej Instances. “There’s a variety of good surroundings of the dunes and the desert. Additionally, while you go to Fujairah, there’s a path that runs via the Hajar Mountains. So, it’s a really pretty expertise.”Etihad Rail journey instances and metropolis connectionsOnce operational, Etihad Rail goals to ship time-efficient alternate options to highway journey. Journey durations between main cities have already been shared: Abu Dhabi to Dubai: Excessive-speed service: half-hour Customary service: 57 minutes Abu Dhabi to Ruwais: 1 hour 10 minutes Abu Dhabi to Fujairah: 1 hour 45 minutes Abu Dhabi to Sohar (Oman): 1 hour 40 minutes Al Ain to Sohar: 47 minutes These journey instances spotlight how Etihad Rail is about to rework not simply journey throughout the UAE, but additionally how the nation connects with its neighbours. A serious a part of that imaginative and prescient is the Hafeet Rail, also referred to as the UAE-Oman Rail, a 238-kilometre cross-border hyperlink that may join Sohar Port in Oman to Abu Dhabi. Introduced in Could 2024, the mission is already nicely underway, with development nearing the midway mark, reportedly 50 to 70 per cent full. As soon as operational, it is going to considerably enhance each passenger and freight motion between the 2 nations.Trains on this route, in addition to throughout the broader Etihad Rail community, are designed to journey at snug cruising speeds of as much as 200 km/h, delivering a steadiness of velocity, consolation, and panoramic views alongside the best way.
Prepare options and onboard facilities Designed by CAF (Construcciones y Auxiliar de Ferrocarriles), a Spanish rolling inventory producer, Etihad Rail’s passenger trains are constructed to fulfill stringent European requirements. The trains will accommodate over 400 passengers, distributed throughout three journey courses: First Class, Enterprise Class, and Economic system. Every class is designed to cater to particular traveler wants: First Class: One enterprise carriage will home 16 seats, providing luxurious seating and repair. Economic system Class: Every financial system carriage could have 56 seats, prioritizing house and luxury. Facilities onboard will embody: Superior air-conditioning techniques tailored for the desert local weather Infotainment techniques for leisure throughout journeys Charging ports for digital gadgets Meals and beverage choices Devoted zones for working, studying, and enjoyable Spacious legroom and enhanced safety features Etihad Rail has additionally partnered with Italian luxurious hospitality model Arsenale to steer the event of a luxurious practice expertise, impressed by the class of the Orient Specific. Although prototype movies of the interiors have been teased on-line, officers stress that last configurations should change earlier than the official launch.Additionally learn: First glimpse of 200 km/h Etihad Rail passenger trains unveiled
Stations and companies: A holistic passenger expertise Every station alongside the Etihad Rail community is being designed to offer a seamless, nice pre-boarding expertise. Deliberate options embody: Stores Enterprise-class lounges Household-friendly services As for ticketing, pricing has not but been introduced. Nonetheless, it was confirmed in February 2024 that Dubai’s Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) is the official ticketing and fare cost companion. This opens the potential for utilizing Dubai’s Nol card as a mode of cost for Etihad Rail journeys.
Undertaking standing and what’s subsequent Established in 2009, Etihad Rail initially centered totally on freight operations. The freight community was anounced as absolutely operational in 2023, with 38 highly effective locomotives and over 1,000 trendy wagons already transporting numerous important items throughout the nation. These operations are considerably serving to cut back heavy truck site visitors on UAE roads and rising nationwide logistical effectivity.Now, with the superior passenger rail community on the horizon, the main focus has steadily shifted to delivering a sustainable, well-connected public transport system that absolutely helps the UAE’s wider infrastructure and financial ambitions. Etihad Rail is at present being developed to combine easily with every metropolis’s metro traces, handy feeder buses, and native transit networks, making certain complete last-mile connectivity and a seamless, unified journey expertise throughout the complete nation’s quickly rising city areas. The passenger rail service is about to launch in 2026, and can finally join 11 cities and areas, together with: Al Sila Al Ruwais Al Mirfa Abu Dhabi Dubai Sharjah Al Dhaid Fujairah Madinat Zayed Al Ain Sohar (Oman) Nonetheless, Etihad Rail officers have clarified that not all stations could also be out there on day one, and the precise rollout schedule stays below wraps.
